When I was a kid everyone had a vegetable garden in the back yard.
I guess it was an economic necessity for a family with eight kids, as it was for many families of the time.
Sadly, vegetable gardens today are far fewer in number.
Times have changed with families being busier than ever and double garages taking up would-be garden space.
If you've been thinking about gardening, you should know that the seeds, soil and sunshine do most of the work, and the rewards are priceless.
Growing your own vegetables will contribute to your health and well-being.
The most immediate benefit of fresh produce is the maximum taste and nutrition provided.
The bending, stretching, squatting, digging and hoeing provide valuable physical benefits - the bigger your garden, the smaller your behind.
Here are 10 healthy reasons to grow your own vegetables.
1.
Taste - You can't beat it.
The vegetables we are used to buying, sometimes have no flavor at all.
2.
Convenience - It's much easier to step outside to cut some lettuce than to get in the car, drive to the grocery store, park the car, wait in line, and etc.
3.
Vegetable consumption will increase - You can't help but consume more vegetables because of the first two reasons.
And vegetables are so good for you.
4.
Nutrition - The sooner you consume a vegetable after it is picked, the more nutrition you get.
When your produce gets to the supermarket, it's already depleted.
If you store it in your fridge for a week, it compromises the nutrition even further.
5.
Fitness - All that bending and squatting is good for your butt.
(Do it mindfully to prevent injury.
) 6.
Being outdoors - You get to soak up a pleasant frame of mind and Vitamin D.
You don't get Vitamin D from vegetables; you get it from sunshine.
7.
No hidden pesticides - When you grow your own vegetables you know exactly what's on them - nothing.
8.
Family activity - Here's something you can do together.
If your kids plant it, they just might eat it.
9.
For sharing - Your friends and neighbors will love you when you harvest more than you can eat.
And the joy you experience from sharing feels good too.
10.
Cost - Once you've created the garden space, the cost is negligible.
You can save money all year round with cold storage, freezing and canning.
A few ideas to help you get started o If you're short on space, or courage, start small with a tomato plant or strawberries in large pots.
o Mix vegetables like lettuce, carrots or radishes in with the flowers o Convert a flowerbed to a vegetable garden o Dig up some lawn to create a garden plot o Create a raised bed for visual interest and easy access (less kneeling) o Purposely grow different crops than your neighbor and exchange produce o Share a plot with a neighbor for shared work If you don't like mud and dirt but you love fresh produce, support your local farmers market.
Now here's a food supply we want to see flourish.
You will pay more, but you will be supporting a good cause.
In doing so you're also doing something good for yourself.
You gotta love that.